After months of delays, the City of Montreal is expected to unveil the first three self-cleaning, free-to-use public toilets in the coming weeks. It will cost a total of $3 million to install the 12 planned toilet facilities, which include weight sensors and an automated seat and floor-washing system. The City of Montreal once boasted an impressive fleet of 20 or so art deco-inspired public toilets, built in the 1930s to improve hygiene and create work during the Great Depression. At least one of the sites slated for construction is drawing ire from the neighbours — Sun Yat Sen Park in Chinatown. Lezlie Lowe, who is the author of an upcoming book about public toilets, said the installation could make a big difference for people who have barriers to toilet access, like homeless or trans people.

Source: CBC News May 06, 2018 12:37 UTC